2014 Summer Position Rankings: Virginia Tech’s Top 5 Running Backs

Sep 7, 2013; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies running back Chris Mangus (28) gets tackled by Western Carolina Catamounts linebacker Tommy Tate (51) during the third quarter at Lane Stadium. Virginia Tech defeated Western Carolina 45-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

5. RB Chris Mangus

Chris Mangus was redshirted in 2012 after coming in as a three-star running back from North Carolina with the expectations not being too high. Mangus entered this past fall ready to fight for playing time but the Hokies also were ready to find ways to get him on the field due to his speed. Mangus ended touching the field not only as a running back but was also used as a wide receiver.

Now, Mangus is at a very interesting point in his career.

Mangus has been solid as a running back and he brings some upside as a speed back who can do some damage when he comes in. However, Mangus’s only big game came against Western Carolina when he had 5 carries for 84 yards though one of those carries was a 76-yard touchdown. Mangus has some big play ability and is an average running back but Mangus might not be on this list next year.

Instead, Mangus might be better off at wide receiver.

Mangus brings a lot of speed and that can be a dangerous weapon whether you line him up all the way outside to try to blow the top off the defense or in the slot. Also, he is more built to be a slot receiver as he has decent height at 6-0 and is used to trying to find space within the front 7 of a defense very quickly. Mangus is an okay running back but his future seems more likely to be as a slot wide receiver.